Chapter 6 Losing Her

It had been three days and Ellizabeth hadn't so much as glanced at him, let alone spoken to him. He had thought that it would make his life easier. He did, after all, have the promise to her grandfather to worry about. He wasn't supposed to have been at the pool with her that night at all. If it hadn't been for Dumbledore's meddling none of it would have happened. He should be happy that she was no longer on speaking terms with him. They were never meant to last long…but he couldn't stand her silence. How could she believe Bellatrix over him? How could she believe that he would choose Bellatrix over her?

His train of thought caused him to unintentionally glare at her all throughout breakfast. Luckily, Paul was too thick to notice any change in him. After the meal Paul cleared his throat, signaling that he had something to say before they left the breakfast table.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to take you to the movies tonight." Paul announces.

"What? Why?" Bethany exclaims instantly.

"There are a few things I have to take care of. If I could get out of it, I would, but it's too important to let go." Paul explains apologetically.

"But you promised!" Bethany moans in objection.

"Why don't I take them?" Snape suggests wearily.

"Yeah, why can't he take us?" Bethany agrees immediately, jumping at the opportunity.

"You could give me the money required and Ella could drive," Severus adds persuasively.

"I suppose that would be ok…" Paul agrees hesitantly.

"Do you really want to go without Grandpa, Beth?" Ella questions, obviously looking for an excuse to get out of it.

"I don't care. I just want to go!" She answers quickly.

"Is this alright with you, Ella?" Paul asks, studying her.

She meets Bethany's pleading gaze and rolls her eyes. "I suppose so," She sighs reluctantly.

"You did that on purpose!" Ella accuses the second Severus opens the door to his room. After the movie they had gone straight home. Severus had been locked away in his room ever since.

"Did what on purpose? Make your sister happy?" He questions mockingly.

"What do you want from me, Severus?" She demands angrily, "Haven't you used me enough already? Didn't you get enough from your little slut that night?"

"I didn't sleep with her!" Severus hisses, pulling her out of the hallway and into his room. "As a matter of fact, most of what she told you could hardly be considered truth. I didn't take you out there with the intent to use you. I wanted to please you."

"You're a liar and we both know it. Why don't you just leave me alone?" Ella snaps.

"You're in my room. I don't think it was I who sought you out." He points out.

She glares at him and he sighs. "Surely you don't believe what she's told you? Only what she said about my past is true, and I've…changed since then."

"Sure you have," She mutters sarcastically.

"You don't believe me?" He snarls, "You'd believe her over me?"

"Give me one good reason not to," Ella challenges.

"It's perfectly obvious that she only said those things to get rid of you!" Severus replies, meeting her challenge, "She wanted me for herself and you were in her way. She would have said anything to make you hate me."

She glares at him, not sure how to respond. After a moment he continues, "Ellizabeth…Bella was my lover while I was fighting on the wrong side of a war. I realized my mistake at the last moment and just barely managed to help take down my old master without getting killed myself. The…leader of the right side of the war was going to…kill me, but I had a…friend that was close to him. Instead I was banished for ten years. They found me a job working for your grandfather, and in exchange for being permitted to return afterwards, I have agreed to serve him for the entire length of my banishment. Bella and the man she was with the first time she broke in must have somehow escaped punishment. If that is so, then they have been looking for me for the last six years. I am under the impression that she wants her place back…"

"And will you give it to her?" She asks, surprised by his openness.

"She's not the one I want…" He answers softly, holding her gaze, "On the other hand I never expected to feel what I do for you either. Now you understand why we couldn't possibly be together…We're from two different worlds and even if you were from mine you'd be revolted by the thought of being with a deatheater."

"A what?" She frowns in confusion.

"Bloody hell," He curses under his breath, angry with himself for letting the word slip.

"Severus! Back to the motel! Now!" Paul yells, suddenly storming into the room.

"Paul, I-" Severus starts, but the other man quickly cuts him off.

"I told you not to tell her!" Paul shouts angrily.

"I haven't!" Severus snarls back, not in the mood for false accusations.

"Tell me what?" Ella demands, tired of having the truth being hidden from her.

"Go back to the motel!" Paul demands again, pointing at the door.

Severus glowers at him but felt the pull of the unbreakable vow. He storms out of the room and down the stairs. Once he's out of sight, Paul rounds on her.

"What are you so afraid of him telling me?" Ella demands again.

Her questioning made him satisfied that Severus hadn't told her as much as Paul had thought he had, but he could no longer risk Snape somehow managing to tell her the truth without being affected by the vow.

"Pack your things! You're leaving!" He snaps before storming back out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Ella ran to the window and flung it open, her eyes scanning the ground below for any sign of Severus.

"Severus!" She yells, finally catching sigh of his retreating form.

He quickly turns around and stares up at her. "Tell me you don't believe her!" He shouts back almost pleadingly.

She never answered.